2012 Media Releases

The weekly one-hour programme will feature stories from some of New Zealand’s top journalists, including Paula Penfold, Sarah Hall, Guyon Espiner and Melanie Reid (the core team behind TV3’s award-winning '60 Minutes'), and new additions to the team Phil Vine and Samantha Hayes.

'3rd Degree' will bring a human face to the issues that matter to Kiwis, confronting the people who need to be confronted, probing the secrets that need to be uncovered, and celebrating New Zealanders who are living extraordinary lives.

'3rd Degree' is executive produced by Terence Taylor (currently executive producer of '60 Minutes'), who comments:

“It’s just fantastic to see MediaWorks backing a major new current affairs programme, especially in the current economic climate.

“With Sam and Phil joining an already stellar team of journalists and producers, we’re going to be pulling out all the stops to repay the company’s faith in long-form current affairs,” he says.

Duncan Garner and Guyon Espiner were professional ‘arch rivals’ for many years as poltical editors for TV3 and TVNZ, and are personal friends. They recently teamed up for the first time to present the '3 News' special on Budget 2012. As well working on 3rd Degree, Duncan hosts the Drive show on Radio LIVE beginning on Monday 3 December.

'60 Minutes' finals on TV3 on Sunday 2 December, finishing on a high after winning Best Current Affairs Series at the recent New Zealand Television Awards 2012. Melanie Reid and producer Eugene Bingham shared the prestigious Investigation of the Year award for their work on Bronwyn Pullar and the ACC privacy breach. Melanie was named Journalist of the Year, while Best Current Affairs Camera went to Daniel Grade and Best Current Affairs Editing to Bob Grieve.

3 News is gearing up to provide comprehensive coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games across its portfolio of news and current affairs programmes, bringing the London experience into Kiwi living rooms. more

Two of the country’s foremost political journalists are joining forces for the first time, for Budget 2012, a 3 News special, screening at 2pm, Thursday 24 May on TV3 – and streaming LIVE at 3news.co.nz/budget2012. more

Former news anchor Carly Flynn is turning her investigative attention to the trials and tribulations of Kiwi consumers, joining Brooke Howard-Smith at the helm of popular TV3 consumer programme Target. more